Korsten backing

Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) Football Club is located in North London. The club is also known as Spurs. Tottenham's home ground is White Hart Lane. The club motto is Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).

Glenn Hoddle lamented the sending off of Willem Korsten as a turning point in what was already looking a tough test against resurgent Chelsea at the Lane.

The Dutchman was dismissed for a second bookable offence following a challenge on Mario Melchiot and an uphill task became considerably steeper.

"It was always going to be a difficult task for us, 11 v 11, with the side that we had to put out and the amount of injuries we've got," said Glenn. To lose Willem as well, at that stage of the game, was a massive, massive hill that was too much for us at the end.

"I felt the decision was a poor one and a bit of common sense was needed, but he’s seen it as he’s seen it and we can’t do much about it now."

Korsten has struggled with injuries since arriving at the beginning of last season and opportunities have been rare to prove his worth. Glenn hints that he could be a talent worth nurturing.

"It’s sad for the lad, he’s had a limited chance here. I think the lad’s got talent and it needs to come out in him. But obviously to be sent off when he has got his chance is a shame because he wasn’t doing too badly for us in the game.

"It was very, very frustrating to see him sent off for something like that, I didn’t think there was anything malicious about the tackle, it was just mistimed. I think just a bit of common sense was needed."